[Suicidal fatal beta-blocker intoxication].

We report on the case of a 45-year-old female with beta receptor antagonist intoxication after swallowing about 30 tablets of Cordanum (Talinolol) with suicidal intent. The out of hospital and clinical management is discussed. Prior to admission to hospital the patient only showed a few signs of intoxication such as hypotension, central symptoms and cyanosis. There was no bradycardia but during treatment she developed cardiac arrest. Out of hospital it was possible to stabilise the circulation with catecholamines (norepinephrin) and the transport to hospital was uneventful but only a few minutes after hospital admission the patient developed cardiac arrest. After initially successful CPR the patient died some hours later in the intensive care unit.